On May 1, 1989, I sat across from my family doctor and heard words that shook my entire world: “You have a disease that is incurable. It’s called Crohn’s Disease.”
Thanks for reading! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
She went on to list the symptoms—severe pain, chronic diarrhea, and rapid weight loss. I remember feeling like the floor dropped out from under me. In just moments, I went from feeling like a new mother to someone drowning in fear, confusion, and disbelief.
This diagnosis came just nine months after giving birth to my beautiful baby girl. I had already experienced the heartbreak of a miscarriage, so this little one felt like my miracle.
But now, terrifying thoughts swirled through my mind: How will I be a good mom while living with this disease? How will I cope? Why me?
What I didn’t realize in that painful moment was that this diagnosis would lead me on a powerful journey of healing—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. And one of my greatest teachers and healers turned out to be my loving shih-tzu, Rocky.
From a young age, I understood that pets are medicine for the soul. Pets ease our pain. They give us comfort, strength, and unconditional love. But going through Crohn’s, I experienced that truth in the deepest, most life-changing way.
Crohn’s made me feel isolated and alone. It’s an invisible illness, and sometimes people would suggest it was “all in my head” or offer well-meaning but overwhelming advice. But Rocky never judged. He just knew. He always knew when I needed a cuddle, when I was in pain, when I was scared, or when I needed a gentle nudge to keep moving forward.
When the pain became unbearable, Rocky would jump into my lap and press himself into me, burying his head into my shoulder. He would breathe loudly—intentionally, it seemed—to help shift my focus away from the pain and onto his steady rhythm. In those moments, his presence grounded me and brought peace when I needed it most.
And when I needed to start rebuilding strength, he knew exactly how to guide me—first encouraging me to walk to the main floor, then to the end of the driveway, and eventually around our short block. Rocky instinctively knew how much I could handle. I trusted him completely, and he never let me down. Rocky was truly my rock.
With his constant love and unwavering support, I slowly began to heal—not just my body, but my heart and spirit too.
I no longer felt alone. I felt seen, loved, and supported—every single day. That love—pure and unconditional—was the greatest medicine of all.
If you’re going through a health challenge and have a pet, I encourage you to open your heart to their wisdom. They feel your emotions. They know your pain. And they want to help. Let their love ease your burden. Let their presence remind you that pets ease our pain and help us heal. The power of pet therapy is real—and it can create miracles.
Rocky taught me that healing isn’t just about medications or treatments—it’s about love, connection, and trust. It’s about listening to your body, your heart, and sometimes, your dog. Healing is possible. And sometimes, our greatest healers come with fur and a tail.
